The site, which is near the Houston Ship Channel, is home to a horizontal helix machine, extrusion line, and supporting equipment. The group says that with the new facility allows them to offer typical longer-length cables and umbilicals required for subsea, umbilicals, risers and flowlines (SURF) packages.

The location is in “umbilical alley” next door to other providers such as GE Oil & Gas, and TechnipFMC Umbilicals.

When asked why Channelview was chosen over other locations along the Gulf Coast, CEO Bob Conners told OE at a media event on 4 December that three things stood out: the infrastructure, the workforce, and proximity a major highway. He also said that marine traffic at the facility’s quayside is much quieter than at the Port of Houston nearby.

Conners added that with the new facility, Umbilicals International is focused signing contracts within brownfields and life extension (inspection, repair and/or replace) opportunities. They are interested in some smaller, greenfield opportunities.

Conners is an umbilicals industry veteran with some 20 years’ experience. Before joining Umbilicals International in January 2016, he served as vice president of SURF at Prysmian. Prior to that he was general manager for Technip Umbilical Systems (DUCO) and previously vice president of manufacturing for JDR Cable Systems.

The new facility opening in Channelview comes three months after Umbilicals International opened its Glasgow facility. The firm became part of the Seanamic Group in 2015, and works alongside Caley Ocean Systems, IMES International and Flexlife.

Coupled with a manufacturing facility in Stafford (45min southwest of the Channelview facility), Conners believes Umbilicals International can offer customers a complete package.

“This site gives Umbilicals International a new and strong future,” Conners said in a press statement. “Our enhanced capabilities at Channelview, coupled with our established 100,000sq ft facility in Stafford, means we can offer an extensive range of cable and umbilical products which are an expected component of SURF packages.”